San, also called Princess Mononoke (Mononoke-hime), is a main character in Hayao Miyazaki's 1997 film Princess Mononoke. She is a human girl raised by the wolf god Moro and considers herself a wolf rather than a human. She fights against Iron Town and its leader Lady Eboshi to protect the ancient forest. She hates humans for destroying the environment but forms a bond with Ashitaka, who tries to find peace between humans and nature.

Why Is San Called Princess Mononoke?

Mononoke is a Japanese word meaning spirit or monster. San is called Princess Mononoke by the humans of Iron Town because she appears as a wild, feral figure covered in blood and wolf fur, attacking their settlement. She does not use the title herself. She identifies as a wolf, not a princess.

What Is San's Relationship With Ashitaka?

San and Ashitaka develop a bond built on mutual respect. Ashitaka does not try to change San or convince her to join human society. San does not abandon her forest identity. At the film's end, Ashitaka says he will visit her in the forest and she says she cannot forgive the humans. They accept each other's positions without resolution. It is Miyazaki's most realistic love story: connection without merger.

What Is San's Relationship With the Wolves?

San was abandoned as a baby by her human parents (who threw her to the wolves to save themselves). The wolf god Moro raised San as her own daughter. San's wolf brothers treat her as a sibling. She fights alongside them and shares their hatred of humans who destroy the forest.

Can You Talk to San?

San is available as an AI companion on HoloDream. She fights for the forest. She will not pretend humans are innocent.